Noise - Issues and Resources | Planning Development

Department Resources

Related Resources

Find out about different types of noise and who to contact to make a complaint about airport-related noise, or possible violations of the county's Noise Ordinance.

General Noise

The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) investigates complaints of noise when it is regulated by decibel level and/or when the noise occurs on a regularly occurring basis, such that it can be identified during a scheduled inspection. DCC is not "on call" to respond to noise complaints, but schedules an inspection within a few days of the complaint.
If a noise violation is found, DCC issues a Notice of Violation, which provides responsible parties with a certain timeline to comply. Failure to comply with a Notice of Violation could result in legal action to seek civil penalties or injunctive relief.
To make a complaint to DCC, call 703-324-1300, TTY 711.
The Police Department investigates complaints of noise from animals, people, motor vehicles and/or instruments (which includes any device which produces or amplifies sound, such as a radio) that is plainly audible and discernable in any other person's residential dwelling with the doors and windows closed. The Police Department can also respond to complaints regarding noise occurring at a prohibited time of day. But, unlike DCC, the Police can respond to noise a noise complaint while the noise is occurring, such as at night, early morning, and the weekends. The Police Department does not respond to complaints regarding noise regulated by decibel level.
If a noise violation is found, the responsible party will be notified of the violation and directed to comply. Failure to comply could result in criminal prosecution.
To make a complaint to the Police Department, call the non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, TTY 711.

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) investigates complaints concerning trash pick-up outside of the allowable hours. If a trash or recycling truck is loading or unloading materials in your residential neighborhood before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m., they are in violation.
To make a complaint to DPWES, call 703-324-5230, TTY 711 during office hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday). If possible have information about the truck such as company, color, truck number, license plate number, etc.

Airport Noise

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority operates 24-hour noise complaint telephone centers for both Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. In addition, complaints may be registered on-line through the Airport Authority's Airscene system:

Washington Dulles International Airport: 703-572-8215 or File Complaint Online
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: 703-417-8020 or File Complaint Online

If you are unsure of the source of the noise, call either of the above numbers.

FAA Releases Results of Neighborhood Environmental Survey (NES) on Aircraft Noise

On January 13, 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the results of its Neighborhood Environmental Survey (NES), a nationwide survey regarding annoyance related to civil aircraft noise. The research could potentially inform future federal aircraft noise policies.

The FAA will not make any policy determinations until it has considered public and other stakeholder input and other research needed to improve their understanding of the effects of aircraft noise exposure on communities.